DR JOHN RAE AND THE RESTORATION OF THE HALL OF CLESTRAIN

Early day motion 1459, tabled 6 July 2004 by Alistair Carmichael (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 22 members.

That this House recognises the achievements of the nineteenth century explorer, Dr John Rae, in particular his charting of more than 3,000 miles of Arctic coastline and his discovery of the final link in the North-West Passage; notes that in 1854 he brought back news of the fate of the expedition led by Sir John Franklin, truthfully reporting the evidence that the last survivors of that expedition had resorted to cannibalism, and as a result was vilified by the British establishment led by Lady Franklin and Charles Dickins, for having relied on the word of savages as they described the indigenous population; regrets that Dr Rae was never awarded the public recognition that was his due, including the knighthood that was given to other great British explorers of his time; welcomes and supports the proposed restoration of the Hall of Clestrain in Orkney, the home where Rae was born and spent his childhood, to be used as a museum tracing the design and construction of traditional boats in Orkney from prehistory to the present day; and believes that the project will belatedly honour the memory of a great British explorer.

Signatures by party: Labour 13, Liberal Democrat 6, Conservative 1, DUP 1, Scottish National Party 1.